(Newser)
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Daredevil Nik Wallenda became the first person to walk on a tightrope across the Niagara Falls tonight, taking steady, measured steps for 1,800 feet across the roaring falls separating the US and Canada. Afterward, he said he accomplished the feat through "a lot of praying, that's for sure. But, you know, it's all about the concentration, the focus, and the training." ABC televised the walk and insisted Wallenda use a tether to keep him from falling.

Wallenda said he agreed because he wasn't willing to lose the chance and needed ABC's sponsorship to help offset some of the $1.3 million cost of the spectacle. After he made it to the Canadian side of the falls, Wallenda said that at one point in the middle of the stunt, he thought about his great-grandfather and the walks he had taken: "That's what this is all about, paying tribute to my ancestors, and my hero, Karl Wallenda."

i enjoyed the walk much more with the tether...i wouldnt have watched him do it without one...but with it...i was thinking..."fall fall fall you idiot fall"...congratulations making it across...an outstanding feat of concentrated will power

OuttaHere

Jun 16, 2012 7:35 AM CDT

Amazing how fast memories fade and history is rewritten. I remember as a kid being fascinated watching them perform the seven chair pyramid walk. But calling them daredevils is a disservice. It is their profession. The Wallenda's have been a tightrope walking clan since before the 1900's and have crossed other equally challenging venues. BTW: Karl Wallenda fell 10 stories to his death walking between hotel high-rises in 1978 in Puerto Rico when he was in his 70's. No nets, please.

pg13

Jun 16, 2012 6:13 AM CDT

My TV idea is to play Russian Roulette with no bullets in the gun. Death defying! Praise Jesus!